Nectarine tree `Bright Pearl`

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a nectarine tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the third week in July, with first picking on Jul. 22, 1994. The fruit is uniformly large in size, non-acidic in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, very firm in texture, and nearly full red in skin color. The variety was a first generation cross using Red Glen (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,193) yellow flesh nectarine as the selected seed parent and an unnamed white flesh nectarine seedling as the selected pollen parent, which was previously developed by crossing August Red (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,363) nectarine by Bradcrim (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,461) nectarine.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of fresh market andshipping fruits, we, the inventors, typically hybridize a large numberof nectarine and peach seedlings each year. The present inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which has beendenominated varietally as "Bright Pearl". The present variety wasdeveloped by us in 1991 in a cultivated area of our experimental orchardat Bradford Farms near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (San JoaquinValley). It was a first generation cross using Red Glen (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 7,193) nectarine as the seed parent and an unnamed white fleshnectarine seedling as the selected pollen parent. This unnamed pollenparent was previously developed by crossing August Red (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 6,363) nectarine by Bradcrim (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,461) nectarine.Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarine tree, weasexually reproduced it by budding and grafting, and such reproductionof plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original plant inall respects.

The fruit produced by the present variety is most similar to its pollengrandparent, the Bradcrim (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,461), by producingwhite flesh nectarines that are non-acidic in flavor and virtually freefrom red texture bleeding, but is distinguished therefrom and animprovement thereon by producing fruit that ripens twenty-three dayslater, that is larger in size, that is fuller red in skin color, that ismuch firmer in texture, that is much sweeter in flavor, and that isclingstone instead of freestone.

The present variety is similar to both its seed parent, Red Glen (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,193) and its pollen grandparent, August Red (U.S. PlantPat. No. 6,363), by producing nectarines that are large sized,clingstone, very firm, and nearly full red in skin color, but is verydistinguished from both by producing fruit that is white flesh insteadof yellow flesh, and that is non-acidic in flavor instead of acidic.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph exhibits four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruitdivided transversely to the suture plane to reveal the flesh and stone,a stone, and typical leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of hard ripe on Jul. 27, 1994. All major color code designationsare by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

TREE

Size: Large.

Vigor: Vigorous.

Growth: Spreading and dense.

Form: Round topped.

Hardiness: Hardy.

Production: Very productive.

Bearing: Regular bearer.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Bark color.--Brownish gray [64. brGy].

Lenticels.--Numerous. Color: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY]. Averagesize: 3/16" to 3/8" [4.8-9.5 mm.].

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Color.--1st year wood topside: Grayish pink [8. gy.Pk] when exposed tosun. 1st year wood underside: Light yellow green [119. l.YG]. Olderwood: Moderate brown [58. m.Br].

Lenticels.--Numerous, medium. Color: Deep orange yellow [69. deep OY].Average size: 1/8" [3.2 mm.].

Leaves:

Size.--Medium. Average length: 51/4" [133.4 mm.]. Average width: 11/2"[38.1 mm.].

Thickness.--Medium.

Form.--Elliptical.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Base.--Acute.

Surface.--Smooth.

Color.--Dorsal surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG]. Ventralsurface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].

Margin.--Finely serrate.

Venation.--Pinnately net veined.

Petiole.--Average length: 1/2" [12.7 mm.]. Average thickness: 1/16" [1.6mm.]. Dorsal color: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG]. Ventralcolor: Light yellow green [119. l.YG].

Stipules.--Numerous. Average length: 3/16" to 1/4" [4.8-6.4 mm.].

Glands.--Numbers: 2 per leaf. Position: Slightly alternately positionedon petiole and base of blade. Size: Small. Form: Globose. Color: Lightyellow green [119. l.YG].

Flower buds:

Hardiness.--Hardy.

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Free.

Surface.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Medium as compared with other varieties.

Size.--Large.

Color.--Moderate pink [5. m.Pk].

FRUIT

Maturity when described: Hard ripe, Jul. 27, 1994.

Date of first picking: Jul. 22, 1994.

Date of last picking: Jul. 31, 1994.

Size: Uniform, large.

Average diameter axially.--211/16" [68.3 mm.].

Average transversely in suture plane.--23/4" [69.9 mm.].

Form: Globose, uniform, mostly symmetrical but few unsymmetrical.

Longitudinal section form.--Circular to obovate.

Transverse section through diameter.--Circular.

Suture: An inconspicuous line extending from the base to slightly beyondthe apex, having a slight depression beyond the pistil point.

Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped throughout but stronger on one side.

Lips: Unequal.

Cavity: Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side.

Depth.--3/8" [9.5 mm.].

Breadth.--7/8" [22.2 mm.].

Base: Rounded and truncate.

Apex: Rounded.

Pistil point: Negligible in length, mostly oblique and depressed withinthe suture.

Stem: Medium.

Average length.--3/8" [9.5 mm.].

Average width.--3/16" [4.8 mm.].

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tenacity.--Tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--None observed.

Color.--Very dark red [17. v.d.R] blending to deep red [13. deep R] over90% of surface with pale orange yellow [73. p.OY] frecking toward theapex, with sun protected areas having pale yellow green [121. p.YG]background.

Flesh:

Color.--White [263. White] to pale yellow green [121. p.YG] with somedeep red [13. deep R] streaking very near the stone.

Surface of pit cavity.--Deep red [13. deep R].

Amygdalin.--Wanting.

Juice.--Abundant, rich.

Texture.--Extremely firm, tough, non-melting.

Fibers.--Abundant, fine.

Ripens.--Evenly, slightly earlier at apex and lips.

Flavor.--Non-acidic and very sweet, with 18 to 20 brix.

Aroma.--Moderate.

Eating quality.--Very best.

STONE

Type: Clingstone.

Form: Oval to obvoid.

Base: Straight.

Apex: Acuminate.

Sides: Slightly unequal.

Surface: Horizontally furrowed toward the apex and some pitting towardthe base.

Ridges: Jagged toward the base.

Color: Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] on the outside, light reddishbrown [42. l.rBr] on the inside.

Pit wall: 7/32" [5.6 mm.] thick.

Tendency to split: Very slight.

Kernel:

Form.--Oval.

Taste.--Bitter.

Viable.--Yes.

Average width.--9/16" [14.3 mm.].

Average length.--13/16" [20.6 mm.].

Skin color.--Deep orange yellow [69. deep OY] with grayish brown [61.gy.Br] veins or lines running from the pellicle to the apex.

Pellicle color.--Grayish brown [61. gy.Br].

Amygdalin.--Abundant.

USE

Market: Fresh and long distance shipping.

Keeping quality: Very good.

Shipping quality: Very good.

Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described, that is most similar to its pollengrandparent, the Bradcrim (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,461) nectarine, byproducing white flesh nectarines that are non-acidic in flavor andvirtually free from red texture bleeding, but is distinguished therefromand an improvement thereon by producing fruit that ripens twenty-threedays later, that is larger in size, that is fuller red in skin color,that is much firmer in texture, that is much sweeter in flavor, and thatis clingstone instead of freestone.